Effect of dissipative forces on the theory of a single-atom microlaser.

A single-atom microlaser involving Poissonian input of atoms with a fixed flight time through an optical resonator is described. The influence of the cavity reservoir during the interactions of successive individual atoms with the cavity field is included in the analysis. Atomic decay is also considered, as it is nonnegligible in the optical regime. During the random intervals of absence of any atom in the cavity, the field evolves under its own dynamics. The steady-state characteristics of the cavity field are discussed. Away from laser threshold, the field can be nonclassical in nature.